Chapter 0840: Sirfetch’d: I’ll Never Lose Again, Quack!(Two-in-One)

At dawn’s first light.

Hammerlocke was almost reduced to rubble after Eternatus’s rampage.

Luckily, the crisis was over.

With the black vortex gone, people returned to the streets, gazing at the sunrise.

Bathed in golden sunlight, Latias soared past, carrying a young man in a black-and-gold cape fluttering behind him.

Next came a Noivern, with a cap-wearing young man on its back.

Bringing up the rear was Leon, deep in thought, one hand on Charizard’s neck as they drifted off course.

Hopeful expressions lit up people’s faces.

The “Darkest Day” disaster that shadowed Galar was finally over. Galar had new heroes!

Wind whistled by Natsume’s ears as he glanced back, calling out loudly:

"Leon, you’re going the wrong way—the rendezvous is over here!"

Leon blinked, snapped out of his reverie, and replied, “Ah, I’m on my way!”

Everyone landed outside Hammerlocke in the Wilderness zone.

Sirfetch’d prepared to bid Zacian and Zamazenta farewell.

The massive red and blue canines, their bodies crisscrossed with battle scars like trophies, looked tough as steel—yet their eyes were warm as spring.

"It’s time now, little one," Zacian said.

"Make good use of that strength."

Zamazenta glanced at Natsume, then bowed his head to Sirfetch’d and spoke in a deep voice:

"You and your partner share true courage and bond. You’re real heroes."

“Sirfetch’d~ (′︿‵)”

Sirfetch’d clutched the battered sword and shield, eyes rimmed with red.

I—I’ll never let you both down. Not ever.

From now on, I won’t lose again.

I’ll become the world’s strongest Farfetch’d!

Zacian and Zamazenta’s eyes shone. They nodded slightly, then turned to Leon.

"Rest assured," Leon placed a hand to his heart, "I’ll hand Eternatus over to Professor Oak for research and then decide on containment or release."

In the anime, the caught Eternatus is entrusted to Professor Magnolia for safekeeping. But honestly, Professor Oak is better suited for the job. With his grandson Blue Oak as assistant, even Eternatus can be handled.

Natsume could only offer a moment of silence for Professor Oak.

You trainers already let Tauros and Muk run wild in the gardens, but now you’re adding Eternatus!?

Professor Oak: I appreciate it, really!

But in its normal state, Eternatus is docile enough. In the Sword & Shield game, Natsume used to let it out for camping, making curry together...

As for the ‘cosmic energy’ needed to keep Jirachi awake—when the research progresses, I’ll just pluck a few more Wishing Stars from Eternatus.

In the game plot, Chairman Rose’s plan to extract Eternatus’s energy for Galar’s power grid backfired—when the device overloaded, Eternatus ended up absorbing all of Galar’s energy.

Classic case of reversing the USB.

Eternatus—the ultimate portable charger!

After their goodbyes, Zacian and Zamazenta transformed into red and blue streaks of light, soaring into the sky.

They left the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield with Sirfetch’d, and would continue to dwell in the Slumbering Weald.

Thanks to those legendary items and his bond’s strength—

Sirfetch’d unlocked his own new form: “Sword and Shield King.”

By Natsume’s observation, it’s much like Bonded Greninja: the form is energy-draining and fades once the battle ends.

Usually, Sirfetch’d reverts to his regular leek and shield form.

As for whether this “illegal” form is okay in the world tournament...

Natsume looked up.

Well, Ash’s Bond Greninja was legal.

My “Duck King” will be legal too!

Gazing after the disappearing twin streaks of light—

Ash smiled sideways, “That was another adventure to remember, huh, Pikachu?”

“Pikachu~” Pikachu squinted in a sunlit grin.

Leon’s eyes softened as he watched Ash and Pikachu, standing in the gentle wind of the Wild Zone, before turning and calling over:

"Natsume-sensei."

Leon said, "I look forward to a true all-out battle with you."

"Next time for sure."

Natsume hopped onto Latias, waved, and said:

"I’ve got to head back to Kalos to ask Professor Sycamore about Sirfetch’d's Bond Phenomenon."

Bond Evolution was first discovered in the Kalos region.

Legend has it, a Greninja once awakened a new form to save the Ninja Village.

Ash’s own Greninja inherited that will, evolving into “Ash-Greninja.”

Sirfetch’d’s story isn’t so different.

They’re both unique—each with a legacy to carry, and an uncanny synch with their trainer.

Ash and Greninja’s never-give-up spirit.

Natsume-sensei and Sirfetch’d… have mastered the art of loafing around, but when it’s time to step up and fight, there’s nothing lazy about them.

So, to Natsume-sensei, the “Bond Phenomenon” with Sirfetch’d is no surprise.

Following the logic of Ash and his Bond Greninja battling as one—

That means from now on, I’ll be fighting alongside Sirfetch’d, blade-in-hand and heart in sync!

After being buffed with Aura of Ripple, the Power of One, Sacred Ash, Close Combat, victory pulses, and more—

Natsume himself is physically close to Champion-level Pokémon, soloing a Buzzwole without breaking a sweat.

If there weren’t referees watching, some Trainers would probably want to step onto the field themselves...

"I should head back to the Galar League first," Leon said. "To be honest, I’ve got an idea."

"Oh?"

"I want to build a Battle Tower in Galar, open to trainers from all around the world—a place to hone battling skills and spread love for Pokémon and Pokémon battles!"

"Why not just repurpose Rose Tower as Battle Tower?" Natsume suggested.

"Huh?" Leon blinked.

"I think Chairman Rose would support that," Natsume grinned. "Rose Tower always gave off that evil-corporation vibe. A Battle Tower would do way more good for Galar’s image."

Leon considered this, then nodded. "I’ll give it serious thought."

Watching Leon, now unburdened, Natsume felt a trace of admiration.

Eternatus settled, Battle Tower on the way...

With the Battle Tower era, Leon’s strength would leap up—rivaling Red and Green of the Battle Tree.

Which also means, in this year’s World Tournament, I may face the fully powered Leon.

Steven, Lance, Cynthia—every Champion has traveled with me, seen countless legendaries, and all our teams are near-legendary level by now.

If this were a game, defeating those Legendaries would grant enough exp for everyone to level up.

This year’s World Tournament is bound to be a true festival of kings. Champions clashing at their peak.

Except for Diantha…she’s busy making movies.

"Natsume-sensei!"

Ash looked up. "The Alola League is next week—will you be there?"

"Of course," Natsume nodded. "I can’t wait to see you and Kiawe in action."

The Alola League is brand new, with no Elite Four or Champion yet, so its first League Champion...can get promoted straight up.

Timeline-wise, Ash’s next big match is an exhibition bout with Professor Kukui.

Then he’ll head to Galar and maybe team up with Serena for the Baby Cup.

As for One Ball Saitama? Not my problem!

"Yes!" Ash’s eyes sparkled, "I won’t let you down at the Alola tournament!"

……

And so, the Eternatus incident came to an end.

The Galar League published its report on the disaster and gave public recognition to the heroes who saved Galar.

Leon, Natsume, and Ash—names boldly at the top.

With his regular Charizard holding back Eternatus, risking life and limb at the front lines, Leon was now Champion in every sense.

The people of Galar saw all this. Leon’s reputation soared ever higher.

The League formally submitted a motion, recommending Leon be awarded the title “Battle Legend”—and it was already in process.

As for Natsume, whose exploits spanned multiple Leagues, “Champion moments” hardly do him justice.

A tutorial character, and a savior of worlds on the side—best possible description.

Meanwhile—

Chairman Rose took sole responsibility for hiding Eternatus’s existence, resigned in disgrace, and handed the League’s Chair to Leon.

Given the public anger after the disaster, it was the most ethical choice for an idealist.

Wyndon, Rose Tower.

Leon stood by a panoramic window.

Rose finished his last stack of documents, pushed back his office chair and stood.

"It’s your turn now."

With his back to Leon in his silver suit, Rose waved, all alone:

“Galar’s in your hands now, Leon!”

Leon turned after him, eyes shining with determination.

He glanced into his open palm, squeezed it tight, then slapped his cheeks, gold eyes blazing.

I’ll keep moving forward—from now on, I’ll carry Rose’s dreams, too!

Outside, a Corviknight flew by the window, its driver in a furry hat looked out at the thriving land, sighing in awe:

"Man, we sure owe Champion Leon for this, huh?"

"Corviknight" Corviknight’s wings threw a shadow over the blue sky.

Kalos, Lumiose City.

Natsume demonstrated Sirfetch’d’s new form to Professor Sycamore.

Professor Sycamore, scratching his stubble, stared at the data with disbelief.

Standing side by side with Sirfetch’d, Natsume asked:

"So, what do you think, Professor?"

"When Sirfetch’d underwent that second evolution, your aura and his resonated at exactly the same frequency."

Professor Sycamore’s eyes sparkled, "Incredible… That’s the power of Bond—one of those legendary ‘Bond Phenomena’ that only happens once a millennium!"

Natsume replied, "But if you count Ash, it’s not quite a millennium, right?"

"Well…maybe once every five hundred years?" Professor Sycamore offered.

Natsume: "…"

Sirfetch’d’s ‘Sword and Shield King’ form wasn’t just drawn from legendary items.

My Sirfetch’d is a total oddball—he triggered the Bond Phenomenon too, so he developed this special form.

Once Sirfetch’d’s condition was confirmed stable,

Natsume said goodbye to the Professor and headed back to the café to rest up.

In the afternoon, a Delibird rushed in with a package marked “Galar Specialty Leeks.”

Once more, Sirfetch’d took up his leek and shield, slicing through iron posts, wind whistling from his blows: "Sirfetch’d! ヽ(`Д′)"

My dream is to be the world’s number one quack~!

Watching Sirfetch’d clang away with his training, Natsume nodded in satisfaction.

Even though Sirfetch’d worked hard and even mastered Bond Evolution—

Should I remind him he still can’t swim…?

Just like Misty’s Psyduck, Sirfetch’d is still a land-duck!

With some rare downtime,

Natsume checked his World Tournament ranking, then picked up his phone and entered the chat group.

A few days without matches, and he’d slipped down to 12th place.

Still enough to qualify for next month’s Top 16 Elimination rounds.

In the chat group—

“@Leon, Professor Oak and I have received the transfer of Eternatus.”

Blue Oak frowned, “Gotta say, that thing’s got insane energy.”

“Yep,” Leon nodded, “And it’s got that special Eternamax form, too.”

“At the time…” Leon recalled, “It was thanks to Natsume-sensei being there that we managed to beat Eternatus.”

Ash chimed in:

“I was on the field this time when Natsume-sensei took Eternatus down!”

Gold complained, “Bro, not just this time. You’re always on the scene!”

My gut never lets me down. Natsume-sensei and Ash together? Never a dull moment.

“No escape,” Sabrina replied coldly, “That’s the guidance of Fate’s Spoon.”

Blue Oak paused—

Speaking of Fate’s Spoon…

Alakazam’s been missing his spoon lately; maybe we should ask Johto’s Morty to use his “spiritual eye” to help search?

“Eternatus is Dragon-type…seriously tough,” Lance said, “I can’t resonate with it at all.”

“That’s because Eternatus is a Pokémon from space,” Iris said. “And I mean, it really does look terrifying…”

Gold whipped out some glasses from who knows where, pushed them up, and said gravely,

“Because Eternatus isn’t a Dragon+Flying dual-type.”

Lance’s forehead twitched; with a wave, Gold got muted on the spot.

Kid didn’t even memorize the type chart and tries to school everyone at a time like this!

“So, have they decided the venue for next month’s Elimination rounds?”

Green asked, “Is it Indigo Plateau? Or Wyndon? Gotta prep in advance!”

“The first few rounds are at Indigo Plateau,” Steven replied gently, “Finals will be in Wyndon.”

Ruby piped up, “Steven, you joining the Elimination rounds?”

Sapphire: “Yeah, it’s been forever since your last official match!”

“Well, depends on my schedule,” Steven smiled, eyes as blue as his stones.

In fact, for this year’s Elimination rounds, Steven showed some rare fighting spirit.

Can’t blame him—Natsume, Wallace, Lance, and all their old friends are in. No way Steven would fall behind.

After all, “I got first place in the end and I’m awesome!” fits Steven to a T.

Natsume gazed at the sky.

Steven’s “schedule” just means more mining, more mining, and visiting Diancie.

If I ever battle Steven, I’ll just invite Diancie to my cheering section—throw him off his game!

With Moe-Moe! online, Natsume sent a message:

“Heading to Alola for the tournament next Monday. Wanna watch together?”

On a second thought, he added:

“I’d like to invite my parents—and Professor Carolina too.”

Moments later, the chat icon flashed.

[Cabbage Ice Cream: Sure~(oﾟvﾟ)ノ]